Kenya is still in pursuit of its third gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics after securing a bronze medal in the men’s marathon, courtesy of Benson Kipruto, who recorded a time of 2:07:00.
The 2024 Tokyo Marathon winner finished behind Belgian Bashir Abdi and Ethiopian Tamirat Tola, who dethroned Kenya’s marathon great, 39-year-old Eliud Kipchoge, to win this year’s edition with a time of 2:06:26.
Benson Kipruto, who was second behind the late Kevin Kiptum in 2023, entered the race as the fastest athlete, earning Kenya its seventh medal at the Olympics.
Eliud Kipchoge, aiming for his third Olympic gold after victories in Rio 2016 and the 2020 Tokyo Games, made his fifth Olympic appearance in Paris 2024. Despite his ambition to claim a historic third consecutive gold medal, his dreams were dashed.
Kipchoge, who no longer holds the world record over 26.2 miles (42.195 km) after his mark was bettered by the late Kelvin Kiptum last October, was “fighting for history” as he sought to surpass his competitors from Ethiopia and East Germany.
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